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Corn Leaf Blight

Northern corn leaf blight appears on corn leaves as distinct, grayish green to tan blotches or streaks up to 6″ long. Southern corn leaf blight causes smaller tan spots with reddish brown borders. Young corn plants are most susceptible to these fungal diseases, and if the infection is severe the plants may die.

Corn leaf blight is usually associated with commercial corn plantings. Wet, humid weather favors the spread of the disease and under these conditions corn leaf blight may also infect backyard corn plantings. The fungus overwinters on infected plant debris in the soil.